Northeast division - NHL: preview

Boston Bruins

2001-02 43-24-6-9 1ST

2002-03 PROJECTION 7TH

LIE: The club will find a suitable replacement for G Byron Dafoe among former backup John Grahame, journeyman Steve Shields and prospect Andrew Raycroft.

TRUTH: The Bruins are actually quite worried about their goaltending. Without a strong presence in the net, an otherwise strong club could be compromised. Management and coaches publicly voice satisfaction with their goalies, but the would-be successors to Dafoe will be watched closely. The hope is that Grahame proves to be a worthy No. 1. But if the goaltending isn't good early, look for the Bruins to acquire a proven goalie. Two free-agent possibilities: Tom Barrasso and, yes, Dafoe.

SECRET: The Bruins performed a minor miracle last season, totaling 101 points despite having the second-worst power play in the NHL. The 39 power-play goals were the fewest by a Bruins team in 32 years. Why so bad? First, the team has no true power-play quarterback to carry the puck down the ice, then dish it or blast away from the point. Second, players such as LW Sergei Samsonov and C Joe Thornton too often pass up open shots, trying to make a better play. With Bill Guerin in Dallas, this will get worse before it gets better.

BREAKTHROUGH

Andy Hilbert, LW With Bill Guerin gone, this former AHL All-Star needs to contribute more than a few goals.

Ivan Huml, LW A crafty Czech sniper, who led Providence with 28 goals last season, Huml also will be counted on.

MVP C Joe Thornton

Buffalo Sabres

2001-02 35-35-11-1 10TH

2002-03 PROJECTION 15TH

LIE: The Sabres, after missing the playoffs for the first time in six years, are refocused and hungry to succeed despite the turmoil swirling around them off the ice.

TRUTH: The players are saying all the right things. But with deposed team owner John Rigas under criminal indictment for corporate fraud--and with bankruptcy a real possibility for the Sabres--it'll be very difficult for this team to accomplish much in the loaded East. Even without the distractions, the team is a mishmash, without a great deal of talent. Lindy Ruff has done a marvelous job keeping this bunch competitive, but he could he the first coach fired.

SECRET: Desperate times require desperate measures. And the Sabres, with financial woes and only about 7,000 season tickets sold, know it's imperative they draw fans. To that end, a club that has relied on stingy team defense will change its ways. Particularly in home games, the Sabres will be geared toward playing wide-open, up-tempo offensive hockey. The key guy in making this work will be young C Tim Connolly, who the club hopes will emerge as a playmaker of the level of Pat Lafontaine or Gilbert Perreault, helping RW Maxim Afinogenov have a breakthrough year. It's a gamble, but it's easy to see why the Sabres will try it.

BREAKTHROUGH

Norm Milley, RW The cash-strapped Sabres are promoting from within. Milley has scored everywhere he has been.

Henrik Tallinder, D With Richard Smehlik gone, this huge Swede will get a chance to log a regular shift.

MVP G Martin Biron

Montreal Canadiens

2001-02 36-31-12-3 8TH

2002-03 PROJECTION 10TH

LIE: The Canadiens' splendid performance against the Bruins in the first round of last season's playoffs demonstrated the Habs, led by league MVP G Jose Theodore, are ready to make a run at extending their record for Stanley Cups.

TRUTH: Uh, sorry, Habs fans, but that postseason surprise against Boston was a blip on the radar screen. The Bruins beat themselves, playing their poorest hockey of the season in all three zones and against a fairly mediocre club. There are things to like about the Canadians, starting with Theodore, but if he isn't every bit as good as last season--when he led the NHL with a sensational .931 save percentage--the team will be hard-pressed to beat out the much-improved Rangers and Capitals and make the playoffs. The defense is solid but unspectacular and low on offense, and the forward unit is talented but aging.

SECRET: The Habs tried to bolster their physical presence when they signed RW Randy McKay, 35, but the ex-Devil won't be enough. When the Bruins were on their game against the Canadiens--when they got the puck deep and cycled--their bigger, stronger forwards dominated Montreal's defense. Yes, the Canadiens will he dangerous when RW Richard Zednik, C Yanic Perreault, RW Mariusz Czerkawski and C Sake Koivu are allowed to buzz around the offensive zone. But the Habs are even more dangerous--to themselves--when they're trying to defend, which is potentially harmful to the mental and physical health of Theodore.

BREAKTHROUGH

Ben Hainsey, D He's ready to add an offensive touch to a defense that too often was rescued by Theodore.

Marcel Hossa, LW He has size and skill and isn't afraid to play in traffic. He had three goals in 10 games last year.

MVP G Jose Theodore

Ottawa Senators

2001-02 39-27-9-7 7TH

2002-03 PROJECTION 1ST

LIE: The Senators played so well in completely smothering the Flyers in the first round of last season's playoffs that they proved they no longer are postseason pushovers and are ready for a serious run at the Stanley Cup.

TRUTH: Yes, the Senators were great against the Flyers, but they quickly reverted to form in the second round against the Maple Leafs. The cold, hard facts are that the Senators' talented players aren't tough enough, and their tough players aren't talented enough. Prominent in the former category: RWs Marian Hossa and Martin Havlat; in the latter, RWs Chris Neil, who broke his leg in the preseason, and Dennis Bonvie. The obstruction fouls crackdown could help this team because it certainly has the talent, speed and skill to properly perform in a wide-open environment.

SECRET: The Senators ditched veteran LW Shawn McEachern and his $3 million contract over the summer, further weakening their left side. Minus McEachern, Magnus Arvedson is the lone returning top-flight left winger. LW Petr Schastlivy being counted on to make the team after what seems like years of promise. The club is set on the right side, with Daniel Alfredsson, Hossa and Havlat. But there are questions down the middle, with Radek Bonk as the top gun in front of a ho-hum supporting cast of Todd White, Mike Fisher and Shaun Van Allen. The hope is that much-touted rookies Jason Spezza and Antoine Vermette will perform well enough to gain roster spots.

BREAKTHROUGH

Jason Spezza, C A blue-chip prospect, he almost made it last year but must improve his work ethic to stick.

Brian Pothier, D An offensive defenseman, he will get a chance will injury-prone Sami Salo sent packing.

MVP RW Daniel Alfredsson

Toronto Maple Leafs

2001-02 43-25-10-4 4TH

2002-03 PROJECTION 6TH

LIE: The Leafs, despite the loss of free-agent G Curtis Joseph to the Red Wings, are poised to advance beyond last season's success and make a serious run at the NHL's grand prize.

TRUTH: Unpredictable G Ed Belfour will not provide the level of play Joseph did. Joseph often stole a point or two, even when his teammates were widely outplayed. Belfour's play has been in decline for several years; his goals-against average has risen every season since 1997-98. Plus, there's his history of bizarre and selfish behavior off the ice. Belfour got along famously with everyone in training camp. But when things go badly, he's a threat to explode under the intense pressure and expectations in Toronto.

SECRET: Let's face it, the Leafs are a dirty team, a throwback to the bad old days of the lawless NHL LW Shayne Corson, RW Darcy Tucker, RW The Domi & Co. appeared to try to deliberately injure opponents during the playoffs. The Leafs have gotten away with plenty, and the new crackdown on obstruction will hurt them as much as any team. Their defense, even with the solid Bryan McCabe, the durable Robert Svehla and the talented Tomas Kaberle, is average. The Leafs will have a tough time containing good offensive teams, and they no longer have the goaltending to bail them out. The rule change that will hurt the Leafs the most, however, is the one that penalizes players for complaining about teammates' penalties, a favorite pastime in Toronto. Some say the rule was brought in specifically to address the Leafs' history of getting on the officials.

BREAKTHROUGH

Brad Boyes, C Not many jobs are open, but this smart playmaker and two-time OHL MVP could win one.

Karel Pilar, D A late-season call-up, he showed offensive skills in the playoffs. His big shot from the point is a plus.

MVP C Mats Sundin

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